Going To Church in Swim Suits. A Florida church meets in a former drive-in theater. Congregants at Daytona Beach Drive-In Christian Church may wear swimsuits as they listen to services amplified through theater speakers attached to car windows. The church, part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination, has gathered to worship since 1953, The Washington Post said. About 800 people attend services each Sunday, 1,500 during peak tourist seasons. The church bought the 12-acre property in 1958. Congregants include the elderly and disabled, vacationers who don't want to dress up, families with young children, and those who just like the feeling of being outdoors. ...Larry Deitch, pastor since 1995, delivers the sermons from a balcony. Ushers move among the cars to take up the collection, and worshipers who particularly enjoy a solo or choir song toot their horns instead of clapping. Religion Today (ELB: This is a part of the wave. They find out what the people want, and then they give it to them. This philosophy may be in a church near you, and it may be coming to your church.)

Hawaiian Catholics can dance the hula as a form of worship. The Vatican banned hula and other traditional Hawaiian dances from church last year because a congregant complained they were more like entertainment than worship. Honolulu Bishop Francis DiLorenzo appealed the ban and established guidelines, the Associated Press said. ...Traditional hula uses the hands, body, and feet to communicate a story. Images of women wearing coconuts, flower leis, and short skirts making suggestive movements reflect a more modern version. Hula is performed in church in the "strictest, most beautiful, spiritual sense," a hula teacher, John Lake, said. ...This form of gesture is considered praying with one's whole being, DiLorenzo said. The guidelines require that gestures express praise, thanksgiving, adoration, petition, and penitence before they are permitted during specific Masses. Participants are required to wear appropriate dress that respects the liturgy and congregation. From Religious News (ELB: The newspaper printed a picture of this disgraceful act. It is no different than the religious dancing acts, and other disgraceful acts committed in Protestant and Baptist churches. The trend is going that way.)

Texas A & M Caves in to Homosexuals. AFA is very disappointed with the administration at Texas A&M University, which quickly caved in to pressure and apologized for a football player's statement which offended gay activists. At an annual bonfire celebration, senior player Dan Campbell said he was glad to attend a school where "men like women and women like men." After protests from gay, lesbian and transgendered students, Campbell, A&M President Ray Bowen and athletic director Wally Groff immediately apologized to homosexuals. AFA Executive Assistant Buddy Smith said the entire incident was an outrage. "It's amazing how quickly this country has slid to the brink of moral oblivion. All that young man basically said was that men and women being attracted to each other is normal and the norm for the human race," he said. "For a major university to apologize for such an obviously correct statement shows how, in our politically correct environment, normally rational people seem to cower before gays and lesbians." AFA Journal

Sudan has imposed an Islamic dress code on women, and police will make sure it is observed, Reuters news service said. Women must wear a head scarf and a long robe or dress covering their arms and legs. The ruling was made by the Public Order and Appearance Committee, which makes sure behavior conforms with Islamic law. All women who enter Sudan should be "dressed in a manner reflecting Islamic values," the committee said. "We are committed to ensuring that Islamic values are reflected on the life of society in Sudan and this does not contradict what others call human rights." Dresses and gowns will be provided to non-Muslim women at national entry points. Baptist Press. (Note by ELB: While we have no sympathy for Islamic teaching, we ought to learn something from this. In times past, Christian women dressed modestly, but that is swiftly changing even among conservative and independent Baptist churches. The Moslems are trying to return to the old Islamic standards. Christian women should return to the modest clothing that is taught in the Bible.)

Sick Society Sodomizes Civility - "The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told" opened recently in New York. Just in time for "Christmas and Hanukkah." It is a retelling of the story of creation and the birth of Christ from a "homosexual perspective." (BreakPoint, 12/23/98) The New York Times lauded this story and complimented "play write Paul Rudnick as possibly `the funniest writer for the stage in the U.S. today.'" (Ibid) In the place of Adam and Eve the main characters are "Adam and Steve." The NYT explained the two men met and "`begin naming everything in the garden, including their own body parts'--a scene complete with full frontal nudity." This is funny?? The virgin mother of Christ was portrayed as a lesbian impregnated by artificial insemination. Noah and Moses are pictured as gay. All this in the name of entertainment?? What a sick society that will purchase a ticket to view such filth. All who laugh at this will one day hear a laugh that is anything but funny! (Psa. 2:4) "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision." - WWM

CCM Icon Separates From Husband - Amy Grant, contemporary Christian Music icon from the late 1970s to the present, is splitting up with her husband, Gary Chapman. (Nashville, Tenn [AP], 12/31/98.) Sixteen years of marriage and three children are lost in the scrap heap of the entertainment world. Grant soon crossed the line over to pop music in the 80s yet remained popular in CCM performance. Sadly many soloist even in Baptist churches today copy her style of music (?). Even to her fleshly, sensual gyrations. It is impossible for the entertainment world to set proper standard in music or marriage. Stay with the Bible (KJV) for proper instructions in both areas. - WWM

Hollywood Takes In Billions In 1998 - Hollywood (Variety), 12/31/98, reported a surge in box office sales of 10% over 1997. A record $6.86 billion was spent at the movies in 1998 (Daily Variety). Ticket stubs totaled 1.38 billion for the year. That is an average of about $5 per ticket and almost $24 per person in the U.S. Very likely Hollywood (deceiver of millions) received a greater portion of per capita income than the Holy Spirit (Director of Missions, Acts 13) did for missions. It is nothing new that Americans in general think more highly of entertainment than evangelization, even in many mainline churches. - WWM

Partisan Vs. Bipartisan - "Divided along partisan lines," has been a much used term in the news media for years. It has become more popular in the last decade. Bipartisanship is lauded as the only route to a perfect solution. It is difficult to ignore, however, before bipartisanship can be approved by the news media, several things must take place. Pro-life must give way to pro-abortion, religious right must submit to anti-religion, and moral uprightness should diminish while sexual permissiveness, adultery, lying, and cheating are acceptable actions in the highest office in the world. Religion is not exempt from this concept. Promise Keepers main objective is to do away with spiritual partisanship while "breaking down the walls." Billy Graham declares the validity of "no denominations." Many once sound Baptist pastors/churches are falling for this deception by sacrificing Bible precepts for popularity. Hear the scriptural announcement upon this kind of bipartisanship: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isa. 5:20) - WWM

Nude Torso Disturbs Disney Co.? - The Walt Disney Co. says it recalled 3.4 million copies of a video which revealed an "image of a nude woman" inserted into the film. (Los Angeles {AP}, LAJ, 1/9/99) This is the company that has made billions as a "family" oriented film industry. Yet Disney has become noted for their sympathy for and subsidizing of homosexuality. Disney has excelled in everything from live-in medical coverage to leading in the employment of avowed gays and lesbians. "Disney recalled the video `to keep our promise to families that we can trust and rely on the Disney brand to provide the finest in family entertainment.'" (Ibid.) "Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue." (Psa. 120:2) Parents, do you really know what your children are watching? - WWM

Is Push For "Anti-Hate Crime" Legislation Biased? - Matthew Shepard, college student in Wyoming, was brutally murdered a few weeks ago. Another sad commentary on American society. Mr. Shepard was an avowed homosexual. The media has exploded the news of this depraved act for weeks, charging it was a hate crime against homosexuals. Pres. Clinton joins others with the media declaring legislation is needed to stop such hate crimes. Homosexual Robert Bradfield, 46, of Dubuque County, Iowa has sexually molested at least three pre-teen boys. (Telegraph Herald, 10/30/98) The article said Bradfield knew he had HIV (AIDS virus) at the time. Other children may have been subjected to his abuse. According to The Federalist, 11/13/98, one of the boys, 11 years old, is now HIV positive. Not only will this child very likely die the horrible AIDS death, but probable other children who Bradfield abused as well. Their death may be as abhorrent as Mr. Shepard's and over a more prolonged period. Where is the outrage of Mr. Clinton and the media in this matter? - WWM

Hawaii & Alaska Reject Homosexual Marriages - Hawaii & Alaska rejected same-sex marriages. (Religious News, 11/6/98) Hawaiians voted 2-1 for the legislature to restrict marriage to one man and one woman only. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin, via RN) "Alaska voters added a ban on same-sex marriages to the state constitution," the article said. The same-sex marriage battle would not need addressing if Bible teaching was followed. Pray for leadership in every state with this conviction. -WWM

Same-Sex Marriage In The 48 States - "The same-sex marriage issue is being contested in several courts. In addition to federal court challenges to traditional marriage in Alaska and Hawaii, the Vermont Supreme Court will hear arguments on the issue in a few days; a lower court in Vermont has rejected an attempt to alter the state constitution to permit same-sex marriage. A hearing is scheduled in the next few weeks in Ithaca, N.Y." (Religious News, 11/6/98) The very thought of same-sex marriages is not only nauseous, it should make every American tremble in reverential fear before God. Don't forget how God dealt with this sin in Sodom & Gommorah. - WWM

"Waterboy" Cleans Up - The highly publicized movie, "Waterboy," raked in a healthy 39.4 million dollars for the week-end, 11/6-8/98. (Washington Post, 11/10/98) The estimated receipts for the top ten movies for that week reached 88.96 million dollars. Some polls estimate that much more than half of America's population claim to be Christians. If that be near true it might be sad indeed to know the receipts of sound Bible believing churches for that week in comparison. Is this the reason many churches today are patterning their services after Hollywood? Neither riches, robes, rags, recitals, nor rituals can replace Matt. 6:33. -WWM

Two Professors Quit SBTS Over Signing SBC Statement - The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX) religious editor interviewed two Southwestern professors concerning signing an agreement of the "Revised Baptist Faith and Message" of the Southern Baptist Convention. Because of the "questionable biblical interpretation" of Eph. 5:21,22 at the SBC meeting in Utah last June, these two professors plan to quit SBTS. "Dan G. Kent, professor of Old Testament, said he plans to retire next June" and "Alan Brehm, assistant professor of New Testament, said he has submitted his resignation." (Baptist Press, 11/30/98) What other Bible doctrines do you suppose these professors (?) would disagree with? - WWM

NEA Standards Argued - The National Endowment for the Arts is not noted for its ability to screen out indecent artists. "A 1990 law requires the NEA to consider `general standards of decency and respect for diverse beliefs and values of the American public' in making grants." (Christian Times) The right of Congress to require that federal grants given by the NEA be denied to artists whose work is "indecent" is being challenged by the high courts. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco struck down the restriction as unconstitutional. (Christian Times) "Free speech" is always the cry when immorality is publicly displayed. Even the "diverse beliefs and values of the American public" is hardly a standard of decency if polls are correct concerning the morals of the President. - WWM

PK's Equate Denominationalism With Racism? - Promise Keeper's one day Clergy Conference was set for January 29 at the San Diego Sports Arena. (Christian Times) The explicit purpose was to expose as many pastors as possible to PK's spirituality. (But what spirit?) Clifford Fleischbein, director of San Diego Promise Keepers said, "I believe their pastors would go and come back with a vision for vital men's ministries in their churches." (Ibid.) Baptist pastors, here is their goal: "...Jan. 1 in the year 2000, when pastors and men will meet at their State Capitols to share their successful campaigns against denominationalism and racism." (Emphasis mine.) (Ibid.) No one with any discernment can doubt that the PK movement is ecumenical to the core. For all Baptist, local church pastors, you are as bad as a racist in the eyes of the PKs. Baptist (?) Evangelist Billy Graham said at his San Francisco Bay Area Crusade, "Wouldn't it be great if we could forget our denominations and just be people of God?" (Christian Times) Beware!! - WWM

Moon & Providential Adultery? - Nansook Hong, ex-daughter-in-law of the Unification Church founder, Sun Myung Moon, charges her ex-father-in-law with adultery. Ms. Hong claims that Moon and his wife, told her of the affair and defended it as a "providential" act. (Christianity Today, 11/16/98) Moon evidently thinks this came about by divine providence. Donna Collins, ex-member of the Canadian branch of this cult, confirmed Ms. Hong's allegation. Unification leader, Tyler Hendricks claims that Moon "...would not violate his own teaching." (Ibid.) The article said that Moon had preached in a message in 1975 that "...adultery is not forgivable at all." Does Moon think that "providential adultery" is not as sinful as common adultery? Maybe it depends on what you mean by "providential." What ever it was it produce an illegitimate child, according to Ms. Hong. Sounds like our national debate on the "definition" of words. - WWM

Has Graham's Moral Conviction Declined? - An article in U.S. News, 5/5/97 reported a portion of a composition by Billy Graham concerning the spiritual leadership he has given U.S. Presidents. Graham gives this quote from a letter to General Eisenhower in the early '50s while he was commander at the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe. In his letter to the General he wrote a district judge "confided in me that if Washington were not cleaned out in the next two or three years, we were going to enter a period of chaos that could bring about our downfall. Sometimes I wonder who is going to win the battle first, the barbarians beating at our gates from without, or the termites of immorality from within." (Emp. mine.) This presidential spiritual advisor would do well to renew and resound the same convictions today. - WWM

Grossman's Opinion Of The President's Morals -Steve Grossman, chairman of the Democratic National Committee who has recently resigned that position, is obviously unacquainted with reality. He said that Bill Clinton has demonstrated "a higher commitment to the kind of moral leadership that I value in public service and public policy than any person I have ever met." (Federalist Digest, 9/18/98) FD says, "Either Mr. Grossman just turned 18, or he has never ventured outside liberal circles." Mr. Grossman surely has not read the biblical guidelines for moral excellence. "Thou shalt not commit adultery . . . bear false witness . . . covet thy neighbor's wife," among other moral regulations in Exodus chapter twenty. - WWM

World AIDS Day - December 1 was declared World Aids Day. Red ribbons in various participating nations arrayed the most visible positions. World Magazine, 12/12/98 reported New Delhi activities as "hundreds of school kids (marching) beside prostitutes waving banners declaring `Together Against AIDS.'" American activists complained "President Clinton failed to support needle exchanges for drug abusers." One bright spot in this report: "El Cajon, Calif., policeman Charles Merino lost his appeal to the Supreme Court after his ousting as a Boy Scouts leader because he is a homosexual. The Boy Scouts' ban on homosexuals survived." (World Magazine) The deceitfulness of sin is becoming more deceitful. (Heb. 3:13) - WWM

UN Backers Of AIDS Day - There are more than 6 million new HIV infections every year. Over half of these are between the ages of 10-24 years. (World, 12/12/98) That is over twice the population of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The deceptive cry emphasized was not self-restraint but urging young people to demand "their rights to services, skills, and `supportive environments.'" (Ibid.) - WWM

Billions Going Up In Smoke - A 1997 survey of smokers in the U.S. reveals another of our nation's hazards. Almost one person out of four smoke in the U.S. The survey found that an average of 90 pacts of cigarettes per person were sold last year in the U.S. (Washington Post, 11/10/98) The latest figures show the U.S. population at the present of slightly over 271 million. With cigarettes averaging around $3 per pack the expenditures for cigarettes in 1997 was an astronomical $71.1 billion. That doesn't include the "stogies", snuff, and spittin' kind. Nor does it include the medical expense of treating cancer caused by this filthy habit. How many Christians treat the temple of the Holy Spirit in this manner? (1 Cor. 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16) - WWM

NAE Representatives Not Invited to ANIN - Representatives of the National Asso. Of Evangelicals were not invited to a Nov. conference of the AIDS National Interfaith Network. The "Rev." Kenneth South, executive director of ANIN, said, "Evangelicals are doing great ministry, as long as they don't try to change people." (World Magazine, 12/12/98) The reason they were not invited? "Rev." South said the NAE views homosexuality as sinful. I suspect Bible passages pertaining to sodomy was just as shunned at the AIDS Interfaith Network. "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves." (Rom. 1:24) - WWM

Why Christians Can't Remain Catholics - The July-Aug. Proclaiming the Gospel lists and discusses six good reasons why Christians cannot remain in the Roman Catholic Church. 1) Its worship is idolatrous. 2) Its dogmas condemn Christians. 3) Its rituals are rooted in paganism. 4) Its authority is not divine. 5) Its doctrines are demonic. 6) Its teachings deny Christ. Calvary Contender, 1800 Sparkman Ave. Huntsville, AL 35816 (Hereafter CC)

Ex-Catholics for Christ, Charismatics - A statement from the Association of Fundamentalists Evangelizing Catholics notes: "The Code of Behavior sent from Ex-Catholics for Christ (E.C.F.C.) specifically forbids exclusion of charismatics. They plan to hold their first conference in John MacArthur's church with John MacArthur, Dave Hunt and Joe Jordan as main speakers. Participating speakers include a charismatic ex-priest. Dr. Bill Jackson, President of A.F.E.C., writes: `We realize the importance of the issue of Pentecostalism in the light of Roman Catholic evangelism. We regard Pentecostalism as a dangerous perversion of the message of the infinite Christ of the Bible. E.C.F.C.'s ignoring this danger causes us to approach them, as brothers in Christ, in the light of Gal. 6:1. We urge them to reconsider their Code of Behavior and exclude Pentecostals from participation. This would help, but other problems [e.g., separation] still exist that would keep us, as fundamentalists, from cooperation with E.C.F.C.'..." A.F.E.C. is a small group of nine missions whose bylaws state clearly they are non-ecumenical and non-charismatic. CC